It's Time To Start Worrying About the Houston Astros Pitching

Even with a litany of injuries to the pitching staff, the Houston Astros still boast plenty of depth.

They’re just not executing.

This was a big reason why the Astros fell 6-4 to the Los Angeles Angels on Monday and dropped below .500 at 17-18.

Hunter Brown allowed nine hits and four earned runs in 4 1/3 innings.

“They hit a couple of balls hard,” Brown told reporters. “I couldn’t keep the lead. They did some damage to keep themselves in the game.”

“He had good stuff, he had good velocity,” manager Dusty Baker added of Brown. “But these guys over there, they’ve got a good-hitting team. They got some personnel that were hurt last year, and you’ve certainly got to pitch them tough. We scored some runs, had some rallies, had some guys swinging better, which is a positive, but you just hate to lose them late.”

Brown said that he’s disappointed but will continue working. That’s all he can do.

“I just have to keep competing,” Brown said. “There’s nothing I want to do more than help this team win, and I’m going to put my head down and get back to work."

Rafael Montero gave up two runs in the ninth inning and his ERA ballooned to 6.14. Montero has allowed seven runs, two walks and five hits in his last 2 2/3 innings over three appearances.

“Montero’s been so good for us,” Baker said. “It just hurts to keep losing them late.”

Pitchers go through slumps just like hitters. This staff is way too talented to keep struggling. They will respond. During this championship run, they always have.

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